Starting with the End in Mind -Shaping Servant Leaders, Part 3 of 5

“I need a volunteer.”  

​Half of the hands in the lower school gym shot up instantly as soon as the guest speaker asked for help.  The chapel speaker laughed and said, “Be careful . . . you don’t even know what you’re volunteering for yet!”
 
But that is the nature of children, isn’t it?  Curious and helpful.  Ask a room of adults to blindly volunteer and you’ll get a much different response.  We tend to be much more skeptical and hesitant to commit before knowing all of the facts up front (not necessarily a bad thing).

“I need a volunteer.”  

​Half of the hands in the lower school gym shot up instantly as soon as the guest speaker asked for help.  The chapel speaker laughed and said, “Be careful . . . you don’t even know what you’re volunteering for yet!”
 
But that is the nature of children, isn’t it?  Curious and helpful.  Ask a room of adults to blindly volunteer and you’ll get a much different response.  We tend to be much more skeptical and hesitant to commit before knowing all of the facts up front (not necessarily a bad thing).

At Wilmington Christian School, one of the goals we have set for our students is that throughout their lives, they will be servant leaders who:

• Readily accept responsibility to serve and lead others,
• Communicate with clarity, civility, and conviction, and
• Wisely engage the culture as citizens of two kingdoms.

We plan our curricula and student experiences to develop young men and young women who will be willing to serve (1 Peter 4:10), put others first (Mark 12:31), and sacrifice their own interests for those of others (Philippians 2:4), particularly those in need (James 1:27).
 
We want them to understand that true leadership does not come from a title and power but from a leader’s willingness to serve those whom he or she leads. Jesus modeled this during His time here on earth.  He healed those who could not repay Him, and he taught those who hesitated to believe Him. He washed the feet of those who would betray and abandon Him, and loved those who crucified Him.   
 
Each day at WCS, we give students practical opportunities to begin developing the mindset of helping others and leading through service.  For example, in the lower school, students serve as classroom helpers, sidewalk safety monitors, lunch table cleaners, and chapel pledge leaders. Last month, students helped in our school-wide food drive. In the upper school, students serve as sports team captains, student senators, class officers, and club organizers. They use their talents to lead worship in chapel and serve on the audio-visual crew. They volunteer with local community organizations and travel overseas on service trips with WCS or their local churches.
 
All of this gives them a platform to communicate the Gospel with clarity, civility, and conviction. The Gospel changes lives both in this life and for eternity, making the world a better place – even on a small scale – for the glory of Christ.
 
This month we celebrate Christmas and the fact that the Creator of the universe and the King of King came into our world, not as a conquering hero but as a vulnerable baby. Not as the Lion (which he rightfully is) but as a Lamb, to serve and to give His life a ransom for us.
 
What a joy to know Him and help our students know Him, too!  
Next month: Part 4 – Developing Lifelong LearnersEducating for Eternity,
​Jonathan Nazigian
WCS Headmaster